Ellis stunt shameful and worthy of prosecution - Greens

TV Personality Marc Ellis should be prosecuted by the Department of Conservation for his foolish publicity stunt on Rangitoto Island, the Green Party says.

“Anyone else who put at risk such a vital and valuable reserve would not escape prosecution and I don’t see why Ellis should get away with it.

“What he did was clearly the height of stupidity, irresponsible and in breach of the total open fire ban on Rangitoto Island. He put at threat a vital and sensitive ecological environment and for what? An appalling publicity stunt.

“It’s just not on. I don’t believe his celebrity status should exempt him from suffering the same degree of punishment that ordinary New Zealanders would face,” Mrs Turei says.

“While he might be pleased with all the publicity he had generated today, I think he will be sorry when he realizes that it has back-fired and people don’t by his product on principle.”